Had anyone succeeded in propagating Southern Magnolia from cuttings? I have access to a large tree (at least large for zone 6b) that I’d like to propagate. The guy who used to own the property said his mom started it from cuttings of a tree in Virginia decades ago. Southern Magnolias are uncommon here due to winter death/injury. The land is now owned by the state for access to the turnpike, but the tree is still there and strong despite people (myself included) removing greens for Christmas decor yearly.
I going to stratify seeds I collected and sow them in spring, but if I can get a clone that would be great. Most places say to stick semi ripe cuttings with rooting hormone. Some places say there is low rooting success, so I don’t really want to waste time if it’s not going to work.
I say go for it. Even if your success rate is 5%, sticking 20 cuttings won’t take you much more time than sticking 1. Just pay attention to moisture levels. Soil being too wet is enemy #1, tops drying out is enemy #2. For all cuttings, I like to pre-moisten the soil so it’s moist but not wet, then put that in pots, stick the cuttings, and put them in a plastic bag. For most cuttings, that will be just about ideal conditions. Some things like bottom heat, some don’t.
Alternatively, if your seedlings work out, you could try grafting sticks from the mother tree on to them.
I rooted many cuttings taken in early July in Virginia by using an outdoor mist propagation bed. Rooting hormone in a sand /peat mix. Leaves cut in half. Very high success rate. Just had to be sure the plants potted up in the fall did not have their roots frozen over the winter.
As for alternative methods, it will be a challenge to keep them for dropping their leaves and having a high success rate.
I have rooted many of the deciduous species as well. Magnolias in general are easy to root with right setup.
As a side note for native plant lovers. Not so with the Fringe tree, Chionanthus virginicus. I tried them at the same time with the Magnolias. All lost their leaves after only getting callous formation fairly quickly but no roots by the time the magnolias were ready to cut off the mist.
I get “BBB” southern and sweetbay magnolia. I’ve had no seedlings from the bright red seeds ever since they were planted like 10 years ago. I have not done anything with the seeds.
I also have a large “Jane” magnolia. It sends a lot of low branches. I’m going to lay them into the soil and try to get some ground layers. At least one or two already rooted and grow strong.
I have over 20 deciduous magnolias. The oldest ones were planted in 1976. The birds love the seeds. I have found blooming trees from them along hedges rows and edge of woods a half a mile away. The star types mostly. Rarely a tulip one will show up.
Haven’t seen any grandiflora seedlings. So many birds have nests in my tree, I guess they dine in and don’t spread them. Mice probably find them easy picking on top of all the leaf litter as I don’t rake the leaves under that tree.
I have a Pileated Woodpecker that likes to use the southern magnolia as a hangout when it makes it rounds in my yard before heading back to the woods. My house is surrounded by 300 acres of fields so lots of wildlife visit my oasis of trees and a fish pond. Every few years a lone squirrel ventures in for a few days. Probably making the trek under the cover of corn. Skunks, Opossums, Rabbits and Ground Hogs are permanent residents. Black Bear are at my grandparents farm 5 miles away. My neighbor had one eating dogwood seeds in his front yard. Standing up to eat them five foot high.
I have not tried heat…but just sticking and keeping in shade has not succeeded. I do have a couple seedlings in a raised bed…birds brought in the seeds I presume.
My neighbor let me take seeds from her southern magnolia tree last autumn (?) but I got maybe 2 to germinate after a 2-month stratification in sand. They petered out. If you figure out the cuttings I’d be interested in what worked for you! I plan to ask her for more seeds in October, maybe I will also ask about cuttings to do some experimentation.
I’ve barely dabbled with the Southern magnolia. But I sold my neighbor one called Green Giant I believe…and have unsuccessfully tried to propagate it from seeds.
May eventually try grafting.
Seeds need six months or more stratification according to Michael Dirr.
I have dug up little volunteer plants in gardens that birds have spread…but it is quite a rare event.
I have had good success in growing magnolia grandiflora from seed. First I soaked them overnight to make it easy to remove the seed coat, dried them in a stainer, then put them in a bit of moist peat moss in a sealed ziploc bag in the fridge. I kept them refrigerated until things warmed up in the spring, then planted them out in good garden soil. Watered them regularly. Most germinated after a few weeks.
It may also help to nick the seed when planting to make it easier for it to get out. It has been a few years since I did it and my memory is slightly foggy!
